Head Over Heels in the Dales

The Dales Series #3

by Gervase Phinn

Head Over Heels in the Dales is the third volume in Gervase Phinn's bestselling Dales Series 'Could you tell me how to spell "sex" please?' Gervase Phinn thinks he's heard just about everything in his two years as a school inspector, but a surprising enquiry from an angelic six-year-old reminds him never to take children for granted. This year Gervase has lots of important things on his mind - his impending marriage to Christine Bentley (the prettiest headteacher for miles around), finding somewhere idyllic to live in the Yorkshire Dales, and the chance of a promotion. All of which generate their fair share of excitement, aided and abetted as usual by his colleagues in the office. In Head Over Hells in the Dales, join Gervase Phinn in the classroom where he faces his greatest keeping a straight face as teachers and children alike conspire to have him laughing out loud. 'Gervase Phinn's memoirs have made him a hero in school staff-rooms' Daily Telegraph Gervase Phinn is an author and educator from Rotherham who, after teaching for fourteen years in a variety of schools, moved to North Yorkshire to be a school inspector. He has written autobiographies, novels, plays, collections of poetry and stories, as well as a number of books about education. He holds five fellowships, honorary doctorates from Hull, Leicester and Sheffield Hallam universities, and is a patron of a number of children's charities and organizations. He is married with four adult children. His books include The Other Side of the Dale, Over Hill and Dale, Head Over Heels in the Dales, The Heart of the Dales, Up and Down in the Dales and Trouble at the Little Village School.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Memoir, Humor, Autobiography, British Literature, 21st Century

336 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Gervase Phinn (born 27 December 1946, Rotherham, South Yorkshire, England) is an English author and educator. After a career as a teacher he became a schools inspector.

He is now a freelance lecturer, broadcaster and writer, a consultant for the Open University, Honorary Fellow of St. John's College, York, Doctor of Letters (D.Litt) of the University of Leicester, Doctor of Letters (D.Litt) of The University of Hull and the Fellow and Visiting Professor of Education at The University of Teesside.

In 2005 the highest academic award of Sheffield Hallam University, Doctor of the University (D.Univ.) was conferred upon him by the Chancellor, Professor Lord Robert Winston. In 2006 he became President of The School Library Association.

He has published five volumes of memoir, collections of poetry and a number of books about education. He has a particular interest in children's literature and literacy.
He is married with four grown-up children.

Reviews

[Shiloah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bravo! An absolute five star memoir. Hands down. My friend Elizabeth and I have been working through the entire collection of Gervase Phinn literary works for a year now and discussing them. It has been a truly beautiful experience. Laughter, tears, warm stories and antidotes, hilarious plays, darling and often beautiful poetry. Happy sigh. These books are must reads!

[Naturegirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an absolutely pleasant little British read, and I didn't even realize it was non fiction till I looked on the back cover. Phinn is a school inspector who travels around to schools in the Yorkshire Dales and writes stories about the fabulous little (and big) people he meets in his travels. The stories are heartwarming, and we get a little glimpse into his relationship with his girlfriend/wife Christine. I loved the book and want to get the first one now :)

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Number 3 in the Dales series by Gervase Phinn.

Another delightful book full of anecdotal tales. This story also delves a little more into the personal lives of the various characters we've come to know pretty well over the course of the previous two books - in actual fact, it can be likened to getting to know colleagues at work: a few interesting facts and titbits dropped here and there in the course of the rest of the story.

So we hear about Connie's father, and Harold's intention to retire, and, as always, the backdrop to the rest of the story is the love affair between Gervase and Christine, who is now Mrs Phinn.

I'm thoroughly enjoying my romp through these gentle books.

[Debbi · Rating 2 out of 5]

A sweet memoir but not nearly as engaging as the first book. I think that's why it took me so long to finish, I just found it a bit ho-hum.

[Sheila Howes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable, but my least favourite in the series.

[Alison Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm looking forward to reading more books about the adventures of School Inspector Finn as he trundles around schools in the Yorkshire area in the 1970s. Charming, lovely funny anecdotes about the school children. A breath of fresh air. If you're looking for a relaxing, light read: this is it.

[Shelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

'all creatures great & small' with kids.
witty, gentle humour

[Mike Mik · Rating 3 out of 5]

well written

[Aimee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gervase Phinn's series are just MUST READS I loved them!

[Bionic Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hugely enjoyable. At times I find myself laughing out loud with Gervase Phinn's wry, spot-on observations.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite book in the series thus far. We see Gervase marry and at the end he and his wife are expecting a baby. They also move into an old cottage which I can't wait to hear more about.

There were a lot of laugh out loud moments involving the children- especially the Nativity plays.

This is such a heartwarming series of memoirs and I just love them.

My friend Shiloah and I have been reading Phinn's books for quite a while and we really enjoy discussing them together.

[Kate Millin · Rating 5 out of 5]

As us usual there were many laugh out loud moments when reading this book. Gervase Phinn is brilliant at getting across the idiosyncrasies of children and adults. His wry humour and ability to poke fun at himself too really help. In this book he and his colleagues are having to come to terms with a major future change as their benign but effective manager decides to retire- but life and school,inspecting still goes on. His stories also show the importance of a good education and buildings that are fit for purpose. I am so pleased I have heard him speak - he is an excellent speaker to- and would love to hear him again.

[Edward · Rating 3 out of 5]

The third in his autobiographic account as a school inspector. (I missed the second and intend to go back). Overall, it is funny and entertaining with a good storyline running underneath, that of the replacement of the Head inspector whilst Gervase is adapting to newly married life. As always there are entertaining stories detailing his interaction with both children and teachers in rural Yorkshire.

[Angela Tuson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book while tidying out my mother's study. It's James Herriot for teachers. Found the glimpses into 1960's primary schooling in rural England fascinating. Many of the schools were one room divided between "infants" and a class for all the older children. Reading was learned at 4. Children were commenting and offering opinion on poetry at 6. Children were relating what they read and learned to their own lives at 9. A definite step up from today's "dumbed" schooling.

[Srikanth Sreedharan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a boring book. But it is boring in a nice British sort of way that compels you to read it. Each chapter is a vignette of rural Yorkshire life and this is captured and presented without any point of view or opinion. Gervase Phinn is typically English in his restraint while describing the behavioural atrocities occurring in his day-to-day life working as a Schhol Inspector. This makes the book an interestingly boring read...!

[Kay Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book typical Yorkshire dale life fits into my life perfectly. These book are about a school inspector visiting the Yorkshire Dales small school and interacting with the pupils and teachers. Unfortunately i am reading them out of order as i should have read the one before this. Never mind will just have to get it. Excellent Witty Read.

[Teatime Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Filled with the landscape and the people of the Dales, this warm, funny, and autobiographical novel is often compared to the writing of James Herriot, and would also appeal to readers of Peter Mayle and Bill Bryson.

For the full review, please visit my blog at www.theteatimereader.wordpress.com

[Adele · Rating 3 out of 5]

More delightfully entertaining observations from the School Inspector. Gervase's enthusiasm for Yorkshire, the teachers, pupils and a host of other equally colourful characters shines through on every page. Thankfully, the priceless things people say are preserved and shared through his writing. Of the many equally humorous examples, "hypnotherapist" will forever raise a smile...

[Laura Aston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again another brilliant story telling the life of Gervase Phinn the school inspector. The work and home balance is equal so it doesn't just feel like a story about schools. What really makes these books is the hilarious anecdotes from the children, I often find myself smiling as I read the funny little tales.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Third in Gervase Phinn's autobiographical accounts of life as a school inspector in the Yorkshire Dales. Very enjoyable with some humour and good characterisation. The series seems to improve with each book so far.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Phinn has been compared to James Herriot, and these books are his stories of being appointed as a Schools Inspector in the Yorkshire Dales. Many chuckles about the funny things the children say or do, and likewise about life in the slower-paced world of Yorkshire.

[Stephen Dawson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another entertaining read. If you liked the first two, you'll like this funny account of a Yorkshire school inspector. Arguably there's nothing terribly novel here, but it is light and amusing and makes a pleasant read.

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has grown on me as I read, at first I wasn't sure I thought it was slow and didn't really tell a story. I do think that is true, but by the end I wasn't really bothered - it was light hearted and entertaining, although not exactly the finest work of literature.

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books are like James Herriot books. Feel good happy books where nothing too bad ever happens. Funny laugh out loud descriptions of real kids and the unexpected things they say. I also died laughing reading his descriptions of some of the 'difficult' people in his office.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still enjoying this series of amusing stories of life as a school inspector in the North Yorkshire Dales. One character is always using words that aren't quite real words but similar to the ones she means. She also get a lot of sayings wrong such as "when one door closes, another shuts."

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am really getting into these books, I love the stories and there is alot of realism to them. You can see the days as they happen and I will deff be reading other stuff by the author again.

[Kay · Rating 2 out of 5]

An easy, humorous read about the life of a school inspector.

[Annaellisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a great read for anyone who loves words and enjoys the hilarious circumstances that can arise due to the ambiguities of the English language.

[MBC · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very gentle memoir of a school inspector in Yorkshire.